Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism Science Center
Research Field
Yung-Jong Shiah received his Ph.D degree in psychology from the University of Edinburgh (2008). He is a pioneer scholar and has devoted much of his professional career to linking Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to psychology, psychotherapy, and science, with the aim to enhance mental health and well-being. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and one professional book, Foundations of Chinese Psychotherapies: Towards Self-Enlightenment (2021, Springer International Publishing).
My research has significantly advanced cultural psychology by integrating Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist wisdom into systematic psychological theories, empirical research, and applied practices. These contributions below have addressed fundamental gaps in Western psychological paradigms, providing culturally grounded perspectives on self-cultivation, consciousness, and well-being.
1.Establishing Indigenous Psychological Theories
I have developed more than 10 multiple psychological theories based on Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist traditions, for example, including:
- Nonself Theory (NT)—a self-cultivation model rooted in Buddhist wisdom.
- Jun-zi Self-Cultivation Model—a Confucian-Daoist framework based on the I Ching.
- Contentless Consciousness Theory—a Buddhist-inspired model addressing gaps in consciousness research.
- Cryptochrome Theory—exploring consciousness and intention through quantum principles.
These theories provide an indigenous foundation for psychological research, moving beyond Western-centric frameworks.
2.Bridging Theory and Empirical Research
My work integrates theoretical models with empirical studies to validate their applicability. For example, experimental studies on Buddhist blessings have demonstrated the effects of intention and consciousness, with findings published in high-impact academic journals. These studies have attracted international attention, influencing research in psychology, neuroscience, and even biophysics.
My publications can be seen at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yung-Jong_Shiah
Linking Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to psychology, psychotherapy, and science, with the aim to enhance mental health and well-being.
The research topics are dedicated to addressing fundamental psychological questions through the lens of Buddhist wisdom, complemented by insights from Confucianism and Daoism. Conducted in a systematic and structured manner, the work encompasses theoretical construction, empirical research, application, and promotion—all with the overarching goal of enhancing human well-being and health.
2022.8 – Present: Professor, Undergraduate Degree Program of Rift Valley Interdisciplinary Shuyuan, Hui Lan College, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan
2024 Confucius-Buddha-Gandhi award for social theorizing and social sciences in Asia. The award is a cashless award of recognition to an outstanding social theorist of Asian origin working on social theorizing in and of Asia or related world theoretical issues exploring among others Confucian, Buddhist, and Gandhian pathways of contemporary social theorizing of and in Asia and the world.
2024 Distinguished Alumnus of National Changhua Senior High School (Academic Research Category)(國立彰化高中傑出校友(學術研究類))
2024 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2024 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Taiwan National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. (國科會補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2023 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2023 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Taiwan National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. (國科會補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2022 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2022 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Taiwan National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. (國科會補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2021 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2021 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Taiwan National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. (國科會補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2020 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2020 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2019 Free from job evaluation, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan.
(國立高雄師範大學專任教師免評鑑待遇)
2019 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2019 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2018 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2018 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2017 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2017 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2016 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2016 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2015 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2015 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2014 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2014 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (科技部補助大專院校獎勵優秀人才)
2013 Subsidies for Distinguished Scholar received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究彈性薪資獎勵 )
2013 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2012 Nomination for the Wu Ta You Memorial Award of Taiwan National Science and Technology Council. (國科會吳大猷獎提名)
2012 Excellent Research Award received from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan. (國立高雄師範大學研究優良獎)
2010 The excellent mentor in the Health Science College of Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan (高雄醫學大學健康科學院績優導師-心理學系最績優導師).
2009 Scholarly Incentive Award received from Parapsychology Foundation, USA.
2006 Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship for PhD received from Parapsychology Foundation, USA.
Each year has only one student to be rewarded in the world. Usually, this reward is given to the top academic student among the applicants.
2006 Denwyn Dobby Scholarship for PhD received from Edinburgh University, UK.
2005 Denwyn Dobby Scholarship for PhD received from Edinburgh University, UK.
2004 Scholarship for PhD received from Chien-Kuo Technology University, Taiwan.
2003 Scholarship for PhD received from Chien-Kuo Technology University, Taiwan.
1997 The Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor (斐陶斐協會榮譽會員), Taiwan
Each department has only one graduate student to be rewarded in graduation. Usually, this reward is given to the top academic student.
1996 Outstanding College Youth Awards (全國大專優秀青年), Taiwan.
Each faculty has only one graduate student to be rewarded each year. Usually, this reward is given to the student who has made the top academic and most outstanding conduct.
Ph.D. 2003.1 – 2008.6 Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK
2 Vacancies
Job Description
Research fellow for “Transforming Buddhist wisdom to psychological theories, empirical studies and application” project
We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Research Fellow to support an ongoing study on transforming Buddhist wisdom to psychological theories, empirical studies and application, from conventional to unconventional perspectives. The ideal candidate will assist in theorizing ideas, writing, updating references, designing studies, collecting primary and secondary data. The Research Assistant should possess solid understanding of research methodologies. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of transforming Buddhist wisdom to academic knowledge.
Preferred Intern Education Level
Doctorate students in psychology, with a good academic work ethic.
Skill sets or Qualities
Research & Literature Review: Proficient in using Web of Science (WOS) for literature searches and familiar with APA formatting for citations (using Endnote).
Statistical Software: Experienced with SPSS, or Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for data analysis.
Data Management: Skilled in collecting, organizing, and entering raw data with high accuracy.
Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy in both data entry and analysis.
Communication: Clear in presenting findings and well-organized in documentation.